LGBTQ rights, women’s health at center stage in 2020 race

LGBTQ rights, women’s health at center stage in 2020 race

LGBTQ rights, women’s health at center stage in 2020 race

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke unveiled a plan to protect LGBTQ rights on the morning he led a Pride Run through a New York City park

The former Texas congressman promises to use executive orders to overturn the Trump administration’s transgender troop ban and reverse the practice of discharging HIV-positive service members Recommended Video O’Rourke wants to work with Congress to pass the Equality Act, which he says would ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people can “fully participate in public life without discrimination” in employment, housing and “public spaces and services The plan released Wednesday includes a universal health care system that would guarantee LGBTQ people access to hormone “and other gender-affirming treatments O’Rourke also pledges to make it easier for LGBTQ refugee seeking U.S. asylum Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood is calling on the Democratic candidates to confront another contentious issue The organization is set to host a forum on reproductive rights for the Democratic primary field this month, as the issue of abortion emerges as a central topic in the 2020 presidential race The forum, hosted by the organization’s political arm, is the first event in recent presidential campaigns singularly focused on women’s health. The candidates will be individually questioned for 15 minutes about their positions and records on issues like abortion rights, access to health care and contraception.